West Middlesex Hospital has stepped up its battle against deadly superbugs by installing projectors reminding people to wash their hands.

The new machines flash large colourful messages across the floor and walls of the main atrium.

The hospital's director of infection control, Dr May Kyi, said: "It's important that everyone, including staff, patients and visitors, understands the importance of preventing the spread of infections and knows how they can help.

"Keeping your hands clean at all times is the most basic but effective principle."

There were 21 reports of MRSA at West Mid between July 2007 and June this year, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency, compared with 32 for the previous 12 months.